CVE-2024-57981

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: xhci: Fix NULL pointer dereference on certain command aborts If a command is queued to the final usable TRB of a ring segment, the enqueue pointer is advanced to the subsequent link TRB and no further. If the command is later aborted, when the abort completion is handled the dequeue pointer is advanced to the first TRB of the next segment. If no further commands are queued, xhci_handle_stopped_cmd_ring() sees the ring pointers unequal and assumes that there is a pending command, so it calls xhci_mod_cmd_timer() which crashes if cur_cmd was NULL. Don't attempt timer setup if cur_cmd is NULL. The subsequent doorbell ring likely is unnecessary too, but it's harmless. Leave it alone. This is probably Bug 219532, but no confirmation has been received. The issue has been independently reproduced and confirmed fixed using a USB MCU programmed to NAK the Status stage of SET_ADDRESS forever. Everything continued working normally after several prevented crashes.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-02-27
Last modified 2026-05-12
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2024-57981 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability

What is NULL Pointer Dereference?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 3.16 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.4.291, 5.10.235, 5.15.179, 6.1.129, 6.6.76, 6.12.13, 6.13.2, 6.14 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 3.16
Fixed in
✓ 5.4.291 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.235 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.179 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.129 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.76 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.13 6.12.x ✓ 6.13.2 6.13.x ✓ 6.14

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2024-57981 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2024-57981?

    CVE-2024-57981 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 3.16 onward and has been patched in 5.4.291, 5.10.235, 5.15.179 and others. CVE-2024-57981 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2024-57981?

    CVE-2024-57981 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2024-57981?

    Yes — CVE-2024-57981 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.4.291, 5.10.235, 5.15.179 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 3.16 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2024-57981 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2024-57981 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?

    The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →